Mark Pirro is an American musician (bass guitar), audio engineer, and record producer based in Dallas, Texas. He is a founding member of Tripping Daisy, an alternative rock band that was active from 1991 to 1999. He is an original and current performing member of The Polyphonic Spree, and also performed with the groups Menkena and Foreign Fires. Pirro is the inventor of the Copperphone, a specialty microphone that he designed and distributes through his company Placid Audio.
I'd rather make 10 no-budget movies that I have complete control over than spend time soliciting investors to make one bigger budgeted film that someone else controls.
2
I have friends who want to make films but don't, because they're waiting for somebody to come along and give them a film deal. It isn't going to happen that way. Do what you need to do. If you've got a video camera, make a video film. If you've got a Super-8 camera, make a Super-8 film. If you don't have a camera, take a pencil and a piece of paper and write a script. Do whatever you have to do to make it work. Sooner or later, you'll get your shot.
3
Every time you start a new film, it's like starting from scratch.
4
I try to give my films standout titles. If you don't, they'll be lost in a sea of low-budget movies.
5
There's absolutely nothing I'm capable of doing other than being a filmmaker. I've tried other jobs, I've tried the straight and narrow path, and I went nuts. You have to really want [to be a filmmaker] bad enough.
6
If ya got it flaunt it. If you ain't got it, make it look like you've got it and flaunt THAT.
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Fact
1
Many of Pirro's actors go as far back as the beginning of his filmmaking. John McCafferty has appeared in almost all of Pirro's films (including two short films made in 1978 and 1979, "Buns" and "The Spy Who Did It Better"). Ron Curtiss appeared in 1978's "Buns," "Color-Blinded" (1998), "Rectuma" (2003) and "The God Complex" (2009). Tyrone Dubose' appeared as a pimp in "A Polish Vampire in Burbank" (1983), Color-Blinded (1998), Rectuma (2003), The God Complex (2009), "Rage of Innocence" (2014), and Celluloid Soul (2017). Actor Jim Bruce appeared in every one of Pirro's feature films from 1983's "A Polish Vampire in Burbank" to 1998's "Color-Blinded." Bruce's association with Pirro's films ended when he died in 1999.
2
Came up with his company name "Pirromount" when he was 13, shooting short movies on Super 8mm film in upstate New York.
3
Has written, produced and/or directed ten feature films since his first in 1983, most of them self funded.
4
Since 1995, produces a yearly "Marky Fun Tape" for friends and family, which consists of events from the previous year.
5
His first feature film, A Polish Vampire in Burbank, produced in 1983 for $2500, was the most inexpensive feature film ever to run on USA Network in the 1990s.
6
Is a speaker at college and university seminars on low-budget movie making.
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Celluloid Soul
2017
post-production
Rage of Innocence
2014
The God Complex
2009
Rectuma
2003
Polish Vampire: Behind the Fangs
2001
Video documentary short
Color-Blinded
1998
Buford's Beach Bunnies
1993
Nudist Colony of the Dead
1991
Curse of the Queerwolf
1988
Deathrow Gameshow
1987
A Polish Vampire in Burbank
1983
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Celluloid Soul
2017
post-production
Rage of Innocence
2014
The God Complex
2009
writer
Rectuma
2003
Color-Blinded
1998
writer
Buford's Beach Bunnies
1993
writer
Nudist Colony of the Dead
1991
My Mom's a Werewolf
1989
writer
Curse of the Queerwolf
1988
writer
Deathrow Gameshow
1987
written by
A Polish Vampire in Burbank
1983
Editor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Rage of Innocence
2014
Chutzpah!
2011
TV Series
The God Complex
2009
Flaw & Order
2005
Short
Rectuma
2003
Serena's Stir
2000
Video short
Color-Blinded
1998
Buford's Beach Bunnies
1993
Curse of the Queerwolf
1988
A Polish Vampire in Burbank
1983
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Celluloid Soul
2017
producer post-production
Rage of Innocence
2014
producer
The God Complex
2009
producer
Rectuma
2003
producer
Color-Blinded
1998
producer
Curse of the Queerwolf
1988
producer
Deathrow Gameshow
1987
co-executive producer
A Polish Vampire in Burbank
1983
producer
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Gunman
2016
Saloon Piano Player
Retardead
2008
Video
Police sketch artist
Rectuma
2003
Dr. Rektor
Monsturd
2003
Video
Police sketch artist
Buford's Beach Bunnies
1993
Porn Actor
Curse of the Queerwolf
1988
Torchman
A Polish Vampire in Burbank
1983
Dupah
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Keeping Up with the Steins
2006
performer: "Have a Day"
Buford's Beach Bunnies
1993
writer: "BUFORD'S BEACH BUNNIES"
Nudist Colony of the Dead
1991
writer: "NUDIST COLONY OF THE DEAD", "GOD'S GONNA SHOW US THE WAY", "INKY DINKY DOO DAH MORNING"
$11 Million
